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LEADERSHIP AND THE CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

It is instructive to note that no nation has achieved meaningful development socially, politically or economically without the input of or effective leadership (Obasola, 2012:10). Thus, in contemporary discourse, the concept of leadership and governance has attracted a wider spread interest as they serves as the pivot on which social, political and economic structures rest. The numerous problems which have been bedeviling African states vis-à-vis ethnic and communal clashes, increasing crime wave, drug trafficking, advanced fee fraud etc have been blamed on ineffective leadership. While it is true that there have been apparent leadership and governance crises in Africa, the last two decades has witnessed struggle to engender effective leadership and governance in Africa.

Leadership is one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth. A call for a focus on leadership and governance is timely, important and no doubt topical, reflecting the worldwide thrust toward political and economic liberalization. Throughout the whole world, there has been an urgent desire among various people and government for unity, justice, peace and stability. The resurgence of this desire is not only explicable through their political policies alone; but also it is reflected in the social and economic policies (Obasola, 2012:9). In fact, most constituted governments in Africa have been undergoing serious and deepening politicoeconomic crisis. These problems generated by political, social and economic instability and the prevalence of ethnic, communal and religious crises, which have bedeviled Africa, call our attention to the problems of leadership and governance in the continent. In other words, the staggering wave of violence, insecurity, increasing crime wave, economic recession, coupled with the break in law and order are the attributes to the problem of leadership and governance in Africa. Therefore, the quest for good leadership is a sine-qua-non for governance and sustainable development.

Leadership is vital to the realization of organizational or national goals (Ujo 2015; Klenke 2017, 68-97; Otinche 20017, 20-34; Kuada 2010a, 5-8). However, Hartog and Koopman (2001, 166-187) correctly observe that leadership means different things to different people. Nevertheless, Bryman (2012) posits that “most definitions of leadership emphasize three main elements: group, influence and goal.” According to him, “a leader steers members of a group towards a goal”. On his part, Kuada (2010a, 5-8) asserts that “leaders articulate vision, encourage innovative thinking and motivate individuals and groups to exert themselves beyond the normal call of duty.” Emphasizing the importance of leadership for development, Maxwell (2015, 6) posits that “everything rises and falls on leadership.” For him, “the strength of any organization is a direct result of the strength of its leaders. Weak leaders equal weak organizations. Strong leaders equal strong organizations.” Torrington et. Al. (2018, 333) see leadership as “a process where one person influences a group of others to achieve group or organizational goals.”

In the same vein, Otinche (2017, 20-34) posits that “good leadership facilitates the process or task of governance, which ensures social progress and stability.” Therefore an effective leadership is a manager of resources for the enhancement of organizational performance (Gluck et. Al. 2010, 154-161). In this regard, Johns and Saks (2015, 274) point out that “effective leadership exerts influence in a way that achieves organizational goals by enhancing the productivity, innovation, satisfaction and commitment of the workforce.” In addition, Kuada (2010a, 5-8) contends that “effective leadership ensures efficient resource utilization in societies and organizations as well as the unceasing exploration of new resources.”

Thus it is evident that the importance of leadership for development, whether at the organizational or national level, cannot be overemphasized. This is particularly so since leaders are supposed to lead by example; that is, followers are to see desirable character traits in their leaders and thereby be motivated to act in such a manner as to promote enhanced performance.

The personal worth of any national government is the attainment of qualitative level of development as it is a crucial aspect of any nation’s drive to self-reliance. Lawal (2011) posited that development is a vital necessity to the growth and sustentation of any vibrant nation. Thus, for development to be ensured, socio-political and economic stability must be guaranteed at all levels of government as this will promote citizens natural attachment to the governing process. In as much as development is vital to any nation’s progress, Okereke & Ekpe (2012) observed that there has been an unequal level of development in the world and this has precipitated numerous scholarly debates and postulations explaining why some countries are more developed than others.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Despite over forty years of political independence, Africa’s aspiration and hopes remain today largely unfulfilled. The leadership question has become a recurring issue in the discourse on the African project. Seteolu (2014:70) pointed out that the governing class has been target of pillory, vilification, condemnation and disdain in view of the pervasive and persistent socioeconomic and political crisis. He stated further that the economic domain has been characterized by huge external debt overhang, net capital flight, disinvestments, collapse of social infrastructure, food crisis and insecurity, over-devalued national currency, pervasive poverty, unpopular, repressive and alienating economic policies. It was recognized that Africa’s failures have come about largely as a result of among other things; progressive distancing of African from the masses of the people; inadequate preparation of the leadership that assumed the responsibility to govern their countries.

The most critical challenge confronting Nigeria as a nation appears to be credible leadership. Many scholars at one time or the other have queried why Nigeria seems to find it difficult to address her perennial leadership problems in spite of abundant human and material resources available at her disposal. Some have argued that leadership challenge of the country could be traced from the emergence of colonial misadventure in Nigeria, while others dismissed such argument on the basis that corruption and lack of vision among past and present leaders of Nigeria culminate to hamper any meaningful effort in the quest for good governance in the country. These leadership challenges are evidenced in political, social and economic instability and the prevalence of ethnic, communal and religious crises, which have bedeviled Nigerian socio economic development. In other words, the staggering wave of violence, insecurity, increasing crime wave, economic recession, coupled with the break in law and order are the attributes to the problem of leadership in Nigeria. Therefore, the quest for good leadership is a sine-qua-non for sustainable development.

1.3       Objectives of the Study

The study sought to know the effect of leadership on development in Lagos State from 1999-2015. Specifically, the study sought to;

assess the impact of leadership on socio-economic development in Nigeria.

determine the relationship between leadership and development issues in Lagos State.

examine the challenges of leadership and development in Nigeria.

1.4       Research Questions

1.     What is the impact of leadership on socio-economic development in Nigeria?

2.     What is the relationship between leadership and development issues in Lagos State?

3.     What are the challenges of leadership and development in Nigeria?

1.5       Research Hypotheses

Ho1:  Leadership has no impact on socio-economic development in Nigeria.

Ho2: There is no relationship between leadership and development issues in Lagos State.

1.6       Significance of the Study

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.7       Scope/Limitations of the Study

This study is on leadership and development challenges in Nigeria using Lagos State as the case study.

Limitations of study

1.            Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

2.            Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

3.            Organizational Privacy: Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities.  

4.            Availability of Research Material: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.

1.8       Definition of Terms

Leadership: Refers to the behavioural pattern which the recognized leader of the group brings to bear on the members for the accomplishment of the corporate objective through encouragement, open decision-making process, persuasion, influence, identification with group or otherwise (Ezirim, 2010).

Leadership Style: This can be defined as the general approach or principle adopted by the governing class.

Development: It is the qualitative and qualities, self-improvement of man that applies to whole societies and people.  It means the removal of obstacles to the progressive or qualitative transformation of man and such obstacles include hunger, poverty, ignorance, disease, mal-nutrition, unemployment, to mention but a few.

Poverty: this refers to a state of one being unable to meet the basic needs (health care, shelter, food, clothing, etc.) of life. It is a state of lack.

Embezzlement: This is said to be the unlawful use of government fund for the purpose of enrichment of self-interests.

Infrastructure: This can be describe as social amenities such as good roads, houses, bridges, hospitals, schools, electricity.

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